Waste can

ABSTRACT

A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim. A shroud is removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in the receptacle. A lid is secured to the shroud for covering at least a portion of the trash bag. The shroud has an interior opening that is substantially coextensive with an opening of the receptacle. The shroud includes a bag ring extending upwardly from the shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag. The lid extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed.

This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the filing date of to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/004,486, as filed on Nov. 27, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to mechanisms for retaining a trash bag or bag liner inside of a waste can.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waste cans for waste disposal are known that comprise a container having an open top end into which waste is deposited. The waste cans may be made of plastic, metal or other materials and may include a lid that covers the open top end. To facilitate clean up, disposable trash bags or bag liners made of a thin flexible material are inserted into and line the waste can such that waste is deposited into the trash bag or bag liner. The trash bag or bag liner contains the waste and can be removed from the container to dispose of the waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim. A shroud is removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in the receptacle. A lid is secured to the shroud for covering at least a portion of the trash bag. The shroud has an interior opening that is substantially coextensive with an opening of the receptacle. The shroud includes a bag ring extending upwardly from the shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag. The lid extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste can of the invention in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the waste can of FIG. 1 in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the waste can of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed perspective views showing the engagement of the shroud with container.

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of the shroud.

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of another embodiment of the shroud.

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of another embodiment of the shroud.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the shroud and container.

FIG. 10 is a partial section view of an alternate embodiment showing the engagement of the shroud with the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, embodiments of a waste can are shown that include a waste can 2 comprising a receptacle 3 having generally upwardly extending sides 6 and a bottom 8 defining an interior space 10 for receiving trash, garbage or other waste. The waste can 2 may be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material including plastic, metal or the like. In one preferred embodiment, injection molded poly-propylene may be used. The waste can 2 includes a top rim 4 defining the opening 14 into the interior space 10.

A shroud 12 fits onto the sides 6 and rim 4 such that it is disposed adjacent the rim 4 and surrounds the opening 14 into interior space 10. The shroud 12 defines a ledge 13 that sits on top of a shelf 17 formed in the receptacle 3 and a ledge 15 that sits on top of rim 4. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, shroud 12 includes a downwardly extending flange 11 that extends about the periphery of the shroud. A plurality of transverse ribs 9 extend from the flange 11 to ledge 13. The ribs 9 are received in vertical slots 7 formed in holders 5 spaced around the periphery of the receptacle 3. The ribs also provide vent spaces in the open areas between the ledge 13 and receptacle 3 where air can vent from between the trash bag and waste can to the exterior of the waste can. Allowing air to vent from the can eliminates “bag puff”. Bag puff is the tendency of a plastic bag to billow away from the interior of the waste can as a result of air trapped between the bag and the waste can. The receptacle may also include vent holes 70 for venting air from the waste can to prevent bag puff as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the shroud 12 can be removed simply by lifting the shroud 12 from the waste can. The shroud 12 has an interior opening 16 that is substantially coextensive with the opening 14 of receptacle 3. Extending upwardly from the shroud 12 for a major portion of the periphery of the shroud 12 is a bag ring 18. The bag ring 18 comprises a substantially vertical flange that extends for substantially the entire periphery of the opening 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag ring 18 has a gap in the area of hinges 24 but otherwise has an uninterrupted length as best shown in FIG. 1. The shroud 12 also reinforces the upper portion of the can 2 to add greater rigidity to the receptacle 3 near the open upper edge.

Referring to FIG. 6, the perimeter edge of shroud 12 is located inside of the perimeter edge 4 a of top rim 4 of receptacle 3 such that the bag ring 18 and most of the shroud 12 is located inwardly from the outer edge 4 a of rim 4. The open upper edge 50 a of a trash bag or bag liner 50 is folded over the top edge of bag ring 18 and fits tightly around the bag ring 18 to support the bag on the shroud 12 as shown in FIG. 6. Because ring 18 is located interior of the perimeter edge 4 a of rim 4 and the lid 22 is substantially coextensive with the rim 4, the lid 22 extends over the bag ring 18 and bag 50 such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed as best shown in FIG. 2.

Lid 22 is connected to the shroud 12 at pivots 24 such that the lid pivots relative to the can to uncover and cover the shroud and open and close the can. Referring to FIG. 8, pivots 24 can be formed of bosses 27 molded into the shroud that are engaged by slotted apertures 29 formed on the lid 22. In the closed position the bag is hidden from view by the lid. Springs may be provided at the hinges 24 to maintain the lid in the open position.

A latch 30 may be formed on a flange 34 that extends from the front of the shroud 12. Latch 30 includes an engagement member 35 that engages a lip 32 formed on the edge of the lid 22 to lock the lid in the closed position. The engagement member 35 is formed with an upper surface that allows the latch 30 to be flexed away from the locked position when the lid 22 is pushed to the closed position. Once the lid 22 clears the engagement member 35 the latch 30 returns to the unflexed position and into engagement with lip 32. The latch 30 and/or lip 32 can flex slightly to allow the latch 30 to be disengaged from the lip 32 and the lid opened. In the illustrated embodiment, a push button 39 is accessible when the lid is closed. A user presses button 39 to flex latch 30 away from lid 22 and disengage engagement member 35 from lip 32. When the button 39 is released, the latch returns to the locking position.

The flange 34 includes defines a bag guide 36 that provides a visual reference to the user as to where the upper open edge of the bag should be located. With the bag located inside of the bag guide 36 (between latch 30 and bag ring 18), the bag is hidden from view when the lid 22 is closed. The receptacle 102 also may include a bottom formed with a foot step 110. A user can step on the foot step 110 when removing a full bag from the receptacle 102 to hold the receptacle in place as the bag is removed.

Referring to FIG. 7 a plurality of ribs 40 may be provided along the sides of the shroud 12. The ribs 40 define spaces therebetween that allow air to vent from the receptacle and prevent bag puff as previously described.

Another embodiment of the shroud of the invention is shown in FIG. 8 that is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7. The shroud 112 may also include an aperture 52 formed in the flange 134 on the front of the shroud to allow excess bag material to be pulled through the aperture 52 and tucked into shroud to tightly cinch the bag around bag ring 18. In any of the embodiments, the shroud may also be raised from the receptacle and the bag or bag liner tucked under the shroud to cinch the bag on the bag ring and hide the bag from view when the lid is closed.

A mechanical latch 60 may be provided along the back portion of the shroud 112 that pivots relative to the shroud to hold the bag in position. The top edge 50 a of the bag 50 is positioned on the shroud 112 as previously described such that the latch 60 clamps on the bag to help retain the bag in position on the shroud. The latch 60 can flex slightly to allow the latch 60 to be disengaged from the shroud 54 and the bag released. The latch 60 may be formed with a living hinge 60 a to allow it to flex to open and close on the bag. Alternatively, the latch may be formed with a separate mechanical hinge and a spring that biases the latch to the closed, clamping position.

Another embodiment of the shroud 212 of the invention is shown in FIG. 9 that is similar to the prior embodiments where like reference numerals are used to reference like components. The bag ring 218 comprises a substantially vertical flange that extends around the periphery of the opening 216. Unlike the previous embodiment the bag ring extends for only a portion of the entire periphery of the opening 216 such that the bag ring is effectively divided into a first section 218 a and a second section 218 b. Hooks 219 are provided at the ends of sections 218 a and 218 b that grip the bag to help retain it in the shroud 212. In one embodiment the sections 218 a and 218 b are dimensioned such that the hooks 219 are located at the corners of the shroud 212 such that when a bag is fit over the bag ring 218 the open end of the bag is engaged by the hooks 219 in the area of the bag where the bag follows the corners of the shroud. The hooks 219 are formed as cantilevered members that extend from the bag ring 218 such that they can flex to accommodate and engage a bag. Further the hooks are formed with barbs 221 engage and grip the bag.

As was explained with reference to the prior embodiments, the perimeter edge of shroud 212 is located inside of the perimeter edge 4 a of top rim 4 of receptacle 3 such that the bag ring 218 and most of the shroud 212 is located inwardly from the outer edge 4 a of rim 4. The open upper edge of a trash bag or bag liner is folded over the top edge of bag ring 218 and fits tightly around the bag ring 218 to support the bag on the shroud 212. Because ring 218 is located interior of the perimeter edge 4 a of rim 4 and the lid 22 is substantially coextensive with the rim 4, the lid 22 extends over the bag ring 218 and bag such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed.

A latch 230 may be formed on a flange 234 that extends from the front of the shroud 212, as previously described. Latch 230 includes an engagement member 235 that engages a lip formed on the edge of the lid 22 to lock the lid in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 230 and push button 239 are formed with less material than in the prior embodiments to allow a user to more easily flex latch 230 away from lid 22 and disengage engagement member 235.

Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the shroud 312 of the invention is shown where like reference numerals are used to reference like components previously described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 7. The shroud 312 fits onto the sides 6 and rim 4 such that it is disposed adjacent the rim 4 and surrounds the opening 14 into interior space 10. The shroud 312 defines a ledge 313 that sits on top of rim 4. Located at spaced intervals around the periphery of the shroud 312 are downwardly extending flanges 311. Flanges 311 include projections 315 that engage a peripheral edge 321 of the opening 14 to create a mechanical “snap-fit” engagement between the shroud 312 and the receptacle 3. The projections 315 are formed with angled camming surfaces 315 a and 315 b that engage the rounded peripheral edge 321 such that the flanges 311 and peripheral edge 321 can flex relative to one another to allow the shroud 312 to be pushed onto and pulled from the receptacle 3. When the shroud 312 is in the installed position as shown in FIG. 10, the flanges 311 and peripheral edge 321 return to their unflexed positions to create the “snap-fit” engagement between the shroud 312 and receptacle 3. Pulling up on the shroud 312 flexes the components to allow the shroud to be removed from receptacle 3.

Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above. 

1. A waste can comprising: a receptacle; a shroud removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in the receptacle; a lid secured to the shroud for covering at least a portion of the trash bag.
 2. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes an opening and the shroud has an interior opening that is substantially coextensive with the opening of the receptacle.
 3. The waste can of claim 1 further including a bag ring extending upwardly from said shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag.
 4. The waste can of claim 1 wherein a first perimeter edge of shroud is located inside of a second perimeter edge of a top rim of the receptacle.
 5. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the lid extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed.
 6. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the lid pivots relative to the shroud.
 7. The waste can of claim 1 further including a latch extending from the shroud that releasably engages the lid.
 8. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes vent holes.
 9. The waste can of claim 1 further including a mechanical latch provided along a portion of the shroud such that the latch clamps on the bag to help retain the bag in position on the shroud.
 10. The waste can of claim 1 further including transverse ribs extending from the shroud that are received in holders on the periphery of the receptacle to create vent spaces where air can vent from between a trash bag and the receptacle to the exterior of the receptacle.
 11. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the shroud can be removed by lifting the shroud from the receptacle.
 12. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the shroud reinforces the upper portion of the receptacle.
 13. The waste can of claim 7 wherein the latch flexes between a first position in which it engages the lid and a second position in which it is disengaged from the lid.
 14. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the shroud includes a bag guide that provides a visual reference for locating an upper open edge of a bag.
 15. The waste can of claim 14 further including a latch on the shroud that engages the lid to lock the lid in a closed position, wherein the bag guide is located between the latch and the bag ring.
 16. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a foot step.
 17. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the shroud includes an aperture to allow excess bag material to be pulled through the aperture to tightly cinch the bag on said bag ring.
 18. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the bag ring is divided into a first section and a second section and hooks are provided on said first section and said second section.
 19. The waste can of claim 18 wherein said hooks are located at corners of said shroud.
 20. The waste can of claim 19 wherein the hooks can flex to engage a bag.
 21. The waste can of claim 19 wherein the hooks are formed with barbs.
 22. The waste can of claim 1 further including flanges at spaced intervals around the periphery of the shroud that include projections that engage said receptacle.
 23. The waste can of claim 22 wherein the projections are formed with angled camming surfaces that engage the receptacle such that the flanges and said receptacle flex relative to one another to allow the shroud to be pushed onto said receptacle. 